Total synthesis of resolvin E1

Abstract

Resolvin E1 (RvE1), which is an endogenous mediator to resolve inflammation, was synthesized by Wittig reaction between the C15–C20 aldehyde and the C10–C14 phosphonium salt possessing the vinyl iodo moiety followed by Suzuki–Miyaura coupling of the resulting vinyl iodide with the vinyl borane of the C1–C9 part, which was derived from the corresponding acetylene by hydroboration. The C5 and C18 chiral centers in these parts were created by the kinetic resolution of the racemic γ-TMS allylic alcohols using the asymmetric epoxidation, while that of the C10–C14 part was constructed by the asymmetric hydrogen transfer reaction of the corresponding γ-TMS acetylene ketone.